The energy upgrades I skipped on my Victorian home renovation — and why

When we started renovating a Victorian house it was tempting to jump straight into the latest energy technologies. We considered installing a heat pump, solar panels, and all sorts of smart home systems.

As a journalist who writes about such technologies I wanted to practice what I preached. However, our budget was very limited, so we made a conscious decision to take a different approach: fabric first, technology later.

We prioritised insulation, airtightness and new timber windows as these were the fundamental measures that we knew would reduce heat loss. But, with old homes there are always compromises. These are the energy upgrades we deliberately chose to skip and why.

1. Why we decided against a heat pump

Heat pumps are often considered to be the future of domestic heating, and there’s no doubt they can be highly efficient when installed in the right conditions. But for us the timing and practicalities didn’t quite match up.

A ground source heat pump was never an option as we have a very small garden – a common feature of Victorian houses – so we didn’t have space for ground loops or boreholes.

An air source heat pump was a more realistic option, but it still came with challenges. At that point in time of our renovation we were already committing significant funds towards new windows, so installing an air source heat pump simply wasn’t financially viable.

Instead, we opted for a condensing gas-boiler at a much lower upfront cost. Because heat pumps are powered by electricity, with energy prices fluctuating there were also concerns about running costs – particularly in the context of global instability. We therefore weren’t entirely confident that the long-term savings would justify the initial investment in our specific situation.

We did however install larger radiators to allow us the option of installing a heat pump at a later date. Although we would almost certainly need to add further heat emitters to make a heat pump viable. But that’s a worry for the future!

2. Solar power also isn't an option right now

Solar PV panels were another upgrade we seriously considered, and, like heat pumps, it’s something that we may return to in the future.

Solar makes a lot of sense because generating your own electricity can reduce reliance on the grid, and help offset rising energy costs. But again, for us, timing, solar panel costs and practical concerns were the deciding factors in choosing not to install solar.

Once again, budget had the biggest influence and adding solar, along with the associated electrical work, pipework and integrating the systems felt like taking on too much at once. Anyone renovating a home is best advised to plan for your renovation costs carefully, stick to a realistic budget and to take a step by step approach, which will make a long renovation more sustainable.

We also had concerns about the state of the roof, because, as with many older properties, we weren’t entirely confident of its condition. The idea of installers working on it, adding weight, and fixing panels filled us with dread, so we put the whole idea to the back our minds. Thankfully the roof has been fine so far.

3. Underfloor heating simply wasn't practical

Underfloor heating would have been lovely, but installing a full underfloor heating system throughout the house wasn’t practical. The ground floor has suspended timber floors, which complicates installation compared to solid floors.

Upstairs, we did consider underfloor heating in the bathroom. In isolation, it would have been a relatively simple thing to do. But, as we were heavily focused on making the house liveable as quickly as possible, this was pushed down the list.

In hindsight, low-profile overlay underfloor heating systems, which sit on top of the subfloor with minimal height build-up, might have been a viable option.

4. Intermediate floor insulation was counter-intuitive

We decided not to insulate between the ground and first floor because we had installed log burners. We wanted heat from the ground floor to rise naturally into the bedrooms above, helping to warm those spaces. A strategy that's worked quite well.

In addition, there were also concerns about condensation issues, especially in the kitchen where warm, moist air, could potentially lead to problems if trapped below insulated floors.

5. An MVHR retrofit was out of budget

Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) is often recommended in highly airtight homes, helping to maintain air quality while retaining heat. But in a Victorian property like ours, retrofitting a full MVHR system would have been tricky.

Even with the improvements we made, making a Victorian house airtight is very difficult. Also installing ductwork throughout the house would have meant even further disruption, which while trying to preserve original features would have been virtually impossible.

6. A full technology overhaul wasn't suitable

Some technological systems simply wouldn’t have worked with our house, particularly as we wanted to carefully restore the house as sympathetically as possible.

That said we certainly haven’t avoided technology altogether. We’ve added some smart home devices throughout the house including a NEST smart heating system, a smart video doorbell, and sensor operated lighting in the pantry and the utility room to make access to these areas more convenient.

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Renovating an older home is tricky, it’s always going to be about balancing your ambitions with your budget and practical concerns of doing the work yourself and / or finding reliable tradesmen, which is never easy to do.

I love sustainable systems and there’s no shortage of technology that can be installed into homes but you should only install what makes sense for you and for your home. Skipping certain upgrades for us, wasn’t about rejecting them outright, we may integrate some of them at a later date, when budget allows.

The energy upgrades we have prioritised, such as the internal wall insulation, loft insulation and new windows have made the a significant difference to our comfort and energy usage. This fabric first approach has also successfully moved the house from an EPC rating of F33, to around C72.